Me in Place

Rene Descartes’ treatise on Discours de la Methode, was a book on the Carp 500 list I’m working through. I have to say it was a book I was dreading – figuring it to be heavy and long. In the end, I found it to not be that bad (and only 62 pages long) – and maybe a good book to read on the train or at work, if you’re trying to impress someone!
- Descartes took a nine year journey to investigate what were the ultimate truths he believed in. He tried to “erase” what he had learned in school, and started at the very fundamental truths.

Ed Note: When I hear of Descartes taking a nine-year journey, or an astronaut going on a 900 mile trip to attack somebody, I, too, go back to the fundamentals. Namely, who in the world do they get to babysit?

-You may recall the phrase ” Cogito, ergo sum” – being translated, “I think, therefore I am.” This is the base for his reasonings: because, if you’re able to think of yourself, then you must be a self and a reality!

Ed. Note: I, too, have a phrase that proves my 2yo’s existence: “I stink, therefore I am.”

-Descartes thought animals were little more than machines. But, do not worry, says the introduction writer (to the volume I read), he had a dog he named M. Grat, which being translated is “Mr Scratch.” For some reason, I found this funny.

Ed. Note: I, too, have a dog. She is little more than a machine. Her full name is Madeline Kendall Wick. Cogito on the Kendall Wick and see if you think it’s funny.

So, what did I learn from Descartes? I learned that philosopher’s have a lot of time on their hands. And nobody’s philosophy makes sense unless it’s based on a belief in God’s existence.

N.B.: I went away from submitting this post knowing that to tell you to “cogito” was incorrect conjugation. I did not suffer through Mr Cybari’s Latin class watching him read quotes from Julius Caesar by candlelight, while listening to Gregorian chants (on the Ides of March, of course) for nothing. So, please note the correction: if I’m telling you to think, I should say “Cogitas” Thank you. Now back to making that mac and cheese.Â

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